PS: sorry for the partial/crummy picture. I'll try to get a better one taken tomorrow. We can't afford to make many changes right now, but I feel like some brighter paint could help me feel less landlocked until bigger projects can be considered.

Not a Pro.

I really like what you have planned for this home. I actually, like the color that you chose on your door, but sometimes colors come through differently on the computer. Hopefully someone with color knowledge will stop by and help you pick the right shade for your home.

I know it's off topic, but how are your house numbers visible at night?

I know exactly how you feel. I can't make my dream kitchen colors work in my red brick home with beautiful slate floors

Dream kitchen

Interiors - Kitchens · More Info

Foyer (Excuse the renovation dust)

But I am slowly renovating and adding brighter colors, just not as clean as my dream kitchen.

Foyer before

We have to marry what we have and can't afford to change or don't want to change with the colors that we love. In your case you are trying to marry earthy red brick with coastal blue greens. The coastal colors are very clean (like my dream kitchen).

I seem to be having difficulty submitting more than one picture at a time, so I will post some examples one at a time.

The goal is to go as bright and clean as you can without the color screaming at you.

Bright clean coastal color

one saturation level down

two saturation levels down

Once you find the perfect saturation level the next step is to find the perfect shade.

I love Ben Moore Mayo Teal from their Williamsburg collection.

I used Pacific Rim in pic 2 above and Mayo Teal in Pic 4

Here is a comparison of the two colors

Amy, I like the color you are using now. Keep going, it's going to look good. How about adding a bright doormat that has your new color in it to help brighten things up.

Not a Pro.

Change out the cushions on your wicker chairs too.

The blue pots don't need to match, different color shades of blue will work.

some inspiration:

Front Porch Appeal · More Info

I love the color on the door. I am unsure about it on the shutters. You dont have enough shutters painted, to actually comment on them. Its a cute house.

catlady99: we just bought the house and that's on my list of things to revamp. I was thinking of painting them white and moving them to the far right side. Would that blend too much with the mortar?

Bright white house numbers should work against the brick. Or if you use a white mounting board, you could use the existing numbers, brass or another color. In any case, consider getting a solar powered spotlight for better visibility.

I would attach a large trim board ( painted white) all along the top of the walls, and around the column heads also. A crown moulding.

what about this color combo

do the ceiling of the porch in a haint blue (like above the door). maybe your door in a sea blue color.

The red for the shutters (or even the dreamy cloud color)

you could put your numbers on a board painted any color.

metallic paint for your actual number, or spray them in a red or a blue.

bring in cobalt pots w/red or white flowers

or some coleus

Thank you all for the suggestions and feedback!!

ulisdone: I would have never thought of that, but I love the idea!!

Beth H: I like the blues, but have never been a big fan of red. what about shades of yellow, orange, and/or coral?

you have your red brick to contend with. coral shutters on that red brick?? don't think so.

maybe blue and and orange door? It would have to be a red/orange to match your brick

black shutters with a red door is classic. you could choose more of an orange/red.

stick w/the blues and pick a diff shade for the shutters.

or just paint them white, or black. (or, do a wood shutter made from cedar)

black shutters, yellow door:

I see what you're saying. Thank you for clarifying!

so here's a yellow and black combo.

I'd take out those lifeless shrubs in your flowerbed and plant something easy like marigolds and such.

Looks nice w/the soft yellow door

paint your chair black or yellow w/pad to match. It's wicker, so you can spray it.

or something like this.

It's so neat that you can do that with the pic!

I'd still like to stick with a greyish coastal blue/teal as the main color but with accents of brighter colors.

I agree the shrubs are drab. We just bought the house, so there's lots of room for improvement.

We lived in the Keys for several years and owned a coral townhouse. I miss the bright colors and tropical plants. Figuring out how to tastefully bring that kind of decor to a rural'ish area in NW Florida isn't something I'm familiar with.

I wouldn't too much of a gray/blue.

if you want a turquoise, it would look like this (and I like it w/the black shutters)

this blue gray is a little drab/dull to me.

thank you so much for your help and advice!! these are great suggestions!

Amy, don't forget to come back and show us your progress! Good luck

I may be in the minority here but I don't think you're ever going to get the coastal feel you're going for with the red brick. While you can make it better as some of the above photos show, to get a real coastal feel I think you need to paint the brick white on the body of the house. You have what looks to be a gray roof, so that's a huge plus.

Limewash the brick.

Please do not paint the brick white! That would be a crime. I think you’re already going the right direction.

Is the dark blue line painters tape or is it paint? Unfortunately I can’t tell from the picture but if the latter please paint it all the same color. I’d go with a color that’s slightly more blue and less green, then go with brighter address numbers and flower pots that complement the colors.

Painting brick is NOT a crime, if you do not like the red tones that it brings. I had a painted brick fireplace when I was growing up and that was 50 years ago. My daughter just painted her fireplace as the whole room read red/orange, and it has changed the entire room. It's beautiful and clean looking. Johanna Gaines paints brick all the time. If the OP wants a coastal look, it's not a mistake.

Thank you ladies for all the incredible food for thought! We would LOVE to resurface the entire house, but drastic changes aren't really in the cards for us financially. It's definitely a long-term goal, however! For now, we're just going to be able to make small improvements to pull in a little brightness.

A B: The dark blue you are seeing is painter's tape. It will all be the same color when it's all said and done.

Limewashing likely doesn't cost as much as you think